Westminster Christian names Dunderdale new baseball coach

Tim Dunderdale said he interviewed for the vacant head baseball coaching position at Westminster Christian simply to gain experience going through the process. He ended up landing the job.

Westminster Christian athletic director Rick Palmer announced the hiring of Dunderdale to families at the school and media via email Tuesday.

"I'm very excited and I've been truly blessed," Dunderdale said. "I was just looking to get the interview experience, but things fell into place. Rick and I enjoyed our conversations and saw eye to eye as far as what he's looking for from a coach and what I'm looking for from an athletic director. And here I am."

Dunderdale, 45, spent the last six seasons as varsity assistant coach at Johnsburg under Dan Giesey, who also formerly coached in the McHenry County Hurricanes travel baseball organization.

Dunderdale is the president of the 10-team Northern Illinois Men's Adult Baseball League. He still plays for and manages the Johnsburg Tigers. A small-business owner, for 12 years he has owned and operated Revcore Radiator, Inc., in Woodstock.

Dunderdale replaces Jeff Moeller, who resigned in early June. Moeller coached Westminster Christian for 12 seasons and went 188-152, winning a Class 1A state title in 2010.

Palmer said Dunderdale possesses the traits the school sought in a new coach.

"We had four great candidates and it seemed like the others all had something we really liked a lot, but Tim had the full package," Palmer said. "His faith is the No. 1 thing we were trying find in somebody. How he can disciple the kids is a very important part of the process. I received two letters of recommendation on Tim that just blew me out of the water. We couldn't find a better Christian guy that knows baseball and can teach the kids.

"Also, he owns his own business, which is key because he needs to be available. I think his business background will help with many aspects of managing. I think he'll relate to the kids and get the most out of them up and down the board.

This will be Dunderdale's first experience as a head coach at the high school varsity level.

"Obviously, there will be a learning curve with him not being a head varsity coach previously," Palmer said, "but you've got to start somewhere and get the opportunity."

Dunderdale said he's ready for the challenge.

"I want to make it the best program I can," he said. "What I'm looking to do here is build a program that represents the school well and represents the parents well, and I want to put a winning, successful program on the field."

Westminster Christian School families are invited to meet Dunderdale, his wife, Heidi, and their two young children Thursday in the school's Fellowship Hall from 7-7:30 p.m.

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the X in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.